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Family
Characidae (Characins (Piranhas, nanids, cichlids))
Species Currently in the DFL
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About This Family
Distribution:
Southwestern Texas, Mexico, and Central and South America, North America, and Africa
Habitat:
Freshwater
Remarks:
The family Characidae is the largest and most diversified of the order Characiformes, which includes the famously feared piranhas and many fishes that are commonly used for human consumption and in home aquariums. While the majority are predatory, some are vegetarians. They all have strong teeth and jaws.
The family consists of 165 genera and over 962 species.
References: Nelson 2006; Moyle and Cech, Jr. 2000